Researchers used to think that low-level worrying about unfinished tasks was our unconscious mind trying to help us get things done by reminding us of what we still needed to do, and that the reminders -- or distracting thoughts and worries -- would persist until the task was complete. This in itself is a worrying theory for those of us who have never-ending task lists.

﻿But now research shows that simply making a plan to deal with an unfinished task makes a huge difference in our ability to focus on other things -- without being constantly reminded by our unconscious mind about what else we need to do. When we don't have a plan, in contrast, our thoughts will typically wander from whatever it is we are doing to our undone tasks. As it turns out, our unconscious isn't nagging us to do the task at hand, but rather to make a plan to get it done.

Get that to-do list plan down and go enjoy some sunshine with a clear mind!